2010 Lexus RX 350 and 450h: Luxury Crossovers Get Mouse-like Haptic Controller: Live From the 2008 L.A. Auto Show

MORE BREAKING NEWS FROM THE 2008 L.A. AUTO SHOW

The Lexus RX crossovers are celebrating an anniversary. It's been 10 years since the first generation Lexus crossovers hit the market and brought with them a wave of new carlike utility vehicles.

Yes, the 2010 models have been thoroughly redesigned, though it's tough to tell thanks to the sheetmetal similarities to today's RX. That sheetmetal is slipperier than before, with a 0.32 coefficient of drag. And that's impressive, considering the RX is slightly larger in every dimension. Under the skin, the RX 350 gets an improved (by 5 hp) 3.5-liter V6 with 275 hp mated to a six-speed automatic. The RX 450h hybrid model produces a total of 295 hp—27 percent more than last year's RX 400h. And there are two new technologies to improve efficiency and emissions. The first, an exhaust-heat recovery system, is said to reduce engine warm-up time, so the engine can shut down earlier, more often and for longer periods. The second, a cooled exhaust gas-recirculating system, is said to reduce engine pumping losses.

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Both models ride on MacPherson strut-front and double-wishbone rear suspension systems optimized for improved handling. As an added benefit, the new rear design allows for 5 percent more cargo capacity and easier loading.

However, perhaps the biggest development is on the inside. Lexus has finally joined the haptic controller race with a new system called "Remote Touch." This controller acts similarly to BMW's iDrive and Audi's MMI systems, but instead of a fixed knob that spins to run various vehicle functions, the Lexus system acts more like a more sophisticated computer mouse­—moving on multiple planes. It can also be programmed for different levels of feedback. We can't wait to test this new system.

The new RX 350 goes on sale in February with the RX 450h following in the spring. —Ben Stewart